The Trail of Dreams is on its way to Washington, DC. Juan, Carlos, Gaby, and Felipe left Miami’s Freedom Tower yesterday and are currently walking past Hollywood and nearing Dania Beach. According to walker Juan, the team skipped over the county line together when they crossed from Miami-Dade County to Broward County.
The New York Times and Associated both covered the kickoff, with a special emphasis on the bravery and sacrifice of these uncommon college kids. From the AP article, which came out in newspapers like the Washington Post and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
The group set out Friday to begin a 1,500 mile journey they are calling the “Trail of Dreams,” from Miami’s historic Freedom Tower to Washington, D.C. The goal is to raise support for legislation that would include a path to citizenship for eligible illegal immigrants.
The four, all immigrants themselves, plan to walk the entire distance, no matter the weather. They expect students and other supporters to join them along the way and plan to arrive in the capital May 1, which has become a day of immigrant rights rallies in recent years.
All are top students at local colleges and campus leaders. Some are now here legally, some are not. All say they are willing to take the risks that come with bringing attention to the plight of students who, like themselves, were brought to the U.S. as children and are now here illegally.
Juan, one of the walkers, has the first blog up on the official site, reminiscing on what was going through his mind when he decided to start walking:
“I’m leaving,†I told Felipe. “I can’t keep waiting for them to give me an answer, hoping that maybe SOMEDAY, someone will actually listen to my question. I can’t just stay here in my daily cycles acting like this way of life is manageable or bearable. It isn’t. It can NEVER be bearable to lose the people that we love. It can NEVER be bearable to wake up each morning and know that people in our communites have disappeared -taken in the darkness of the night by those that claim to be keeping our communities ‘secure’.â€
Support from all parts of the country – as well as similarly creative initiatives –  will be needed from all corners of the country in order to create the momentum for the type of immigration reform that young leaders and their families need. From the West Coast, Northern California student activist Ju Hong wrote with excitement about the hope the walkers bring to all dreamers. :
So then, my question is, will you sacrifice with them? I believe through sacrifice is the only way to make our dreams into reality. Imagine how difficult for them to make a decision to sacrifice their education, their time, and their own body. They are completely exposing and risking themselves just to represent on behalf of 12 million immigrant’s dreams. Despite of all the odds and challenges, they are willing to fight for the dreams that will determine our future. Through this movement, I can clearly see the sense of urgency. They cannot wait, I cannot wait, and we as DREAMers cannot wait for another decades to fix the broken immigration reform. We cannot wait and time is now! I can see it, I can see it. So let’s make these student’s dreams into reality.
And for those who are wondering how the walkers deal with the ever-present fear of immigration enforcement, Felipe has a coping tip that should inspire fellow dreamers. From the New York Times:
“We are aware of the risk,†Mr. Matos said by telephone. “We are risking our future because our present is unbearable.â€
UPDATE: Here is a media round-up that the Trail of DREAMS has received:
TAMPA BAY- Immigration Reform march begins! http://bit.ly/4nqamB
NYT- Advocates of Immigration Overhaul Alter Tactics in New Push http://bit.ly/8tSJ9B
CANADIAN PRESS Students start walk from Miami to DC to push for changes in immigration law http://bit.ly/8DFpWa
Miami Herald- Undocumented children pin hopes on revival of Dream Act http://bit.ly/4uwcJL
AP- 20 Youth trek from Miami to DC for immigrant rights http://bit.ly/4vNtA4
Imagine 2050- Students walk from Florida to DC for immigrant rights http://bit.ly/7b5toR
Inspiring – together we WILL succeed!!
Amazing. Best of luck!
Wish them the best. Keep the DREAM alive!!
THanks for the posting and the media tracking. The more people know about it, the safer the walkers will be. I don't think people realize how risky this is, not just physically, not just with immigration and law enforcement but with hate groups in the southern US. They are walking thru the belly of the beast. Anyone who has contacts in GA, SC, NC, VA, please do all you can.
Awesome!!!!
I had the opportunity to meet one of these students in Washington DC. They are a true example of leadership and human rights protectors, and the very reason why that is; because they all have lived through oppression, discrimination, and unfairness. I do wish to all of them the best!
I will be waiting for you guys here in North Carolina!!!
It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before
to test your limits
to break to barriers…
Thank you for your sacrifice.
BEST OF LUCK!
Good luck!!!
And Thank You
You all are so inspiring… I wish I could drop everything and go walk with you! Thanks for sacrificing so much to do this and raise important awareness of DREAM and the rest of CIR. I hope you are blessed with great weather, strength and provision of all your needs along the way.
Juan, Carlos, Gaby, and Felipe, I'll probably never meet you in person, but thank you for what you are doing. Your courage is inspiring the rest of us to continue fighting for our DREAM. I'll keep all of you in my prayers and hope that your journey is a safe one.
[...] for the DREAM Act which attempts to give undocumented students legal status. Currently four DREAMers are walking from Miami to Washington DC. The group set out Friday to begin a 1,500 mile journey they are calling the “Trail of Dreams,” [...]
If mexico pays for it all.
Si se puede!!! I wish them the best of luck. We must unite as one right now in this time of need. Students should all have the opportunity to education no matter what the circumstance.
All AB540 students should be out marching and raising money to support this effort and legislation. You may not be able to vote but you can organize and educate the community and then get out the vote. In the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez fasting and marching will help get out the word.
It is incredible what u guys are doing. This is not only your DREAM but the dream of many students that are in the same situation. I wish that I could join you in this journy as well. You are all very brave to take this great risk. THANKS A LOT. Not only are you doing this for yourselfs but many other of us. It would be amazing if we would all unite and fight for this together. " La union hace la fuerza" I wish you guys the best and I will keep you in my prayers so that you can get to Washington in good conditions both physically and mentally. GOOD LUCK.
I am proud to heard the youth is getting up. We need to work together to lift up the immigrants who are in darkness, oppress, and suffering discrimination throughout the country. My best to you it takes only heroes to walk a distance keep the dream alive for all the people who are in pain.
we need to start telling our representatives that we wan the dream act to become a reality so plizzzzzzzz tell ur gov, senator and any representative to help us with our dreams thank you all